"I would prefer to catch it with treatments that quickly get on top of initial viral load."
Me too. Ivermectin came from certain streptomyces bacteria found in the soil in Japan. So why is this bacteria so beneficial to the mammals that consume it and so bad for the worms in the soil where it lives? Could this bacteria already have developed a symbiotic relationship with certain land dwelling mammals in the environment?
A symbiotic relationship is where two different species cooperate to benefit each other. Evolution dictates that when a symbiotic relationship occurs, both species will evolve to give each other the maximum survival benefit.
Ever wondered why your dog likes digging holes, getting a mouthful of dirt (and bacteria) and pooping it all over the place? That could be a big advantage to a bacteria that is confined to the patch of soil where it lives! Likewise, if the bacteria clears the dog's gut of parasites and boosts the dog's immune system, that would be great for the dog too!
So, maybe we have the dog to thank for a drug that is so beneficial for our immune system and so safe to consume?
![https://hotcopper.com.au/data/attachments/3688/3688053-a05e1607d707740f405575873fd512ea.jpg](https://hotcopper.com.au/data/attachments/3688/3688053-a05e1607d707740f405575873fd512ea.jpg)